The speed sweep is one of the Tigers' best offensive weapons, but the Tigers have opted instead to rely on its zone read game and diamond-like formations to pound the ball against SEC defenses recently.

That means more carries for Tre Mason and less for speedster Corey Grant, the Tigers' primary ball carrier on the speed plays.

"I think there'll be a time that'll come into play," Malzahn said. "It's all about what a defense gives you. As a playcaller, you've got to take what they give you."

Mason is just fine with that plan of attack. He has accounted for 48 percent of the Tigers' running offense in five SEC games, including eight of the 14 rushing touchdowns. In fact, the primary runners in the zone read -- Mason and quarterback Nick Marshall -- have combined to account for 77.9 percent of the rushing yards in conference games.

Mason has carried the ball 21 times or more in the Tigers' last four SEC games. He had a career-high 32 carries for 168 yards and four touchdowns in the 35-17 victory at Arkansas last week.

"I don’t have a problem with it," Mason said. "I don’t have a problem with it, it’s just more times for me to be able to make a play."

Grant was a big threat in non-conference games but his carries have dwindled in SEC games as speedy defenders have better success chasing outside run plays.

He got five carries and eight carries against Texas A&M and Mississippi State, respectively, but only a combined five in the other three SEC games (23 yards). He has touchdown runs of 75 and 51 yards on sweep plays against Washington State and Western Carolina, respectively. He was limited in the first two SEC games with an injury.

"That's still a part of our offense," Malzahn said. "Hopefully there will be a time this year where that'll be a little more effective. We've had some big plays in that, but certain teams take certain things away."